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Mom May Win Right To Burial Beside Soldier Son

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Nov 3, 2009 2:13 pm US/Eastern

Mom May Win Right To Burial Beside Soldier Son

Corey Shea Act Overwhelmingly Passes U.S. House

Bill Moves On To Senate

WASHINGTON (WBZ) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: Denise Anderson with her son, Corey Shea
WBZ

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A Mansfield mother who has been fighting for the right to be buried next to her soldier son won an important victory Monday night. The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed a bill that would allow Denise Anderson and other military parents to be laid to rest with their children.

Anderson's son, Corey Shea, was killed in Iraq in November 12, 2008 when an Iraqi soldier turned on him and other U.S. soldiers at a base in Mosul. He had just one month remaining in his tour of duty.

Shea, 21, was buried at the National Cemetery in Bourne. Under federal law, plots in military cemeteries are reserved for veterans, their spouses and minor children.

"He didn't get a chance to get married, have children and he's my son. So that's why I want to be with him," Anderson told WBZ in October. She is not ill, but wants to be with Corey when her time comes.

For the last year she has been fighting the system. Rep. Barney Frank answered her cries and introduced The Corey Shea Act.

Last month Anderson flew to Washington where she talked to the House Veterans Affair Committee about her son. "He sacrificed his life for his country and I sacrifice everyday being without him," she told lawmakers.

The legislation sailed through committee with bi-partisan support, and became part of the Veterans' Small Business Assistance and Servicemember Protection Act of 2009. Monday night the House overwhelmingly passed the bill, 382 votes to 2.

The Corey Shea Act would allow parents of a fallen soldier to be buried with their child, if that child has no living spouse or children.

Denise Anderson's battle isn't over just yet. The legislation still has to be passed by the U.S. Senate. According to Rep. Frank's office, it is likely to be introduced by Senator John Kerry in the near future. Little opposition is anticipated.